Change making machine



April 14, 1953 N. N. ARAsHlRo Er A1. 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet l o: a) i lllllllllll IIIIIILQMHH IlIIlIIIIII Q t N fn/enfans@ @MMA @W orneyl April 14, 1953 N. N. ARAsHlRo ET A1. 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1947 .N ND xbm farney April 14, 1953 N. N. ARAsHlRo Er AL 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 24. 1947 1o sheets-sheet 5 Sig. 7

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@MMM ma April 14, 1953 N. N. ARAsHlRo Er A1. 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 24. 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 14, 1953 N. N. ARASHIRO ET A1.

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE lO Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 24. 1947 April 14, 1953 N. N. ARASHIRO Er AL 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1947 10 Sheecs-Sheel 6 April 14, 1953 N. N. ARASHIRO Er A1.

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 24, 1947 April 14, 1953 N. N. ARAsHlRo Er AL 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 lO Sheets-Sheet 9 VvE N. N. ARASHIRO El' AL CHANGE MAKING MACHINE mhd LOOJ

April' 14, 1953 Filed June 24, 194'? April M, 1953 N. N. ARASHIRO ET AL 2,634,846

CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1947 10 SheePS-Sheet l0 B'Bos aos 504 Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE CHANGE MAKING MACHINE Nicholas N. Arashiro, Milwaukee, Wis., and Fred R. Hamaishi, Chicago, Ill.

This invention relates in general to a machine which Will receive a coin or a number of different coins through a single admission slot, register them according to their values, and will automatically return the correct change for any total over and above any pre-set amount.

Coin vending machines commonly use a gravity system for receiving coins inserted in slots, or a push-pull lever to operate the mechanism and to deliver articles, change, messages, and the like. Or a manually operated machine using coin discharging means may operate upon one or more coin accumulators to deliver proper change to a receiver. The rst two methods require coins of proper denominations to operate the machine, and the latter requires manual attention. These types lack versatility in the receipt of all denominations of coins and in failing automatically to return the right change.

Among the objects of this invention are: to receive coins of all denominations through one slot; to separate coins of different denominations according to their sizes; -to register all coins inserted according to their values; to pre-set the amount to be received in payment and to select and return the proper coins for any over pay-4 ment; to discharge or deliver an article, message and the like; to quickly and easily vary the preset amount without other alteration of the machine; and in general to provide the change making machine herein shown and described.

Other objects will appear in the specification and will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, of an entire machine in accordance with this invention, with some of the parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a group view of the eight cams removed from Fig. 1 for developing the cumulative addition in combinatory sequence of inserted coins and controlling the change discharge of the diierence between the inserted coin or coins and the pre-set on the master wheel;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coin accumun lator tubes shown in Fig. l, free from the operating cams, but including the coin separator at the top of the tubes; which is represented as typical of a number of such sets in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation with parts broken away and in section of one of the 'tubes in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the tube shown in Fig. e;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of a coin receiving receptacle;

Fig. '7 is a front View of the receptacle of Fig. 6 with the viewer removed;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the intermit- 2 tent gear mechanism of Fig. 9 as taken approximately to the right of the line ll-II of Fig. 1

past the shaft 52 and gear 55 looking in the direction of the arrows pointing to the right;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the intermittent gear mechanism of Fig. 8; Fig. 9a is a side lllevation of clutch and contact means shown in Fig. 10 is a side elevational view taken on the line lQ-I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view taken on the entire line li-ll in the direction of arrows pointing to the left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the intermittent gear mechanism of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a reverse side elevation of a portion of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a modified coin expeller for the structure of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 16 is a top view of the expeller of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view ltaken on the line l'l-ll of Fig. 1;

Fig. 18 is an elevational view of intermittent gear mechanism of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view taken on the line lll-I9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 20 is an elevational view of intermittent gear mechanism of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a side elevational view taken along the line 2 l2l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 22 is an elevational view of intermittent gear mechanism of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is an elevational view of one of the intermittent gears;

Fig. 24 is an elevational view of a typical modi- 'ded intermittent gear mechanism substituted in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a top View of the modified intermittent gear of Fig. 23;

Fig. 26 shows another position of the structure of Fig. 23;

Fig. 27 is a top plan view of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a sectional view of the master wheel shown in Fig. 29;

Fig. 29 is an elevational view of the master wheel with added gear trains showing the proper mounting and spacings of the various gears in ratios consistent with a given fixed center to center distance;

Fig. 30 is a partial elevational view of Fig. 29 for controlling the coin discharge for a gear ratio of 2 to 1;

Fig. 31 is a view similar to Fig. 30 showing a gear ratio of 3 to l;

Fig. 32 is a view similar to that of Figs. 30 and 31 adding a coin expelling mechanism with a gear ratio of 4 to 1;

Fig. 33 is a plan View of the coin expelling mechanism of Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is an elevational view showing parts of Fig. 29 and Fig. 31;

Fig. 35 is an elevational view representing a gear train not shown in Fig. 29 but consistent with the centers shown therein and a nal gear train ratio of 1 to 30;

Fig. 36 is an elevational view representing a train of gears shown in Fig. 29 with the intermittent gears removed having a resultant gear train ratio of 1 to 6;

Fig. 3'7 is an elevational view similar to the preceding Fig. 36 for a given gear train ratio of 1/3;

Fig. 38 is an elevational view similar to the preceding Fig. 37 for a given gear train value of to 6;

Fig. 39 is an elevational view of gears having a ratio of 5 to 3;

Fig. 40 is an elevational view of the driving gear train for the control discharge cam having a driving ratio of 3 to 1;

Fig. 41 is an elevational view of a timing gear similar to Fig. 19 having a driving ratio of 5 to 1;

Fig. 42 is an elevational view of one of the gear trains to transmit motion to the coin expelling mechanism;

Fig. 43 is an elevational view of the reversing gear train;

Fig. 44 is a diagrammatic plan view of an electrical circuit in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 45 is a diagrammatic view of expeller gears having a ratio of 1:1 for a xed center to center distance;

Fig. 46 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating a modification of the clutch mechanism for operating expeller gears;

Fig. 47 is a diagrammatic view of expeller gears having a ratio of 2:1 for the same fixed center to center distance as shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 48 is a sectional view of a modified form of clutch operating mechanism as shown in Fig. 29;

Fig. 49 is an elevational view with some of the parts in section of the structure shown in Fig. 48;

Fig. 50 is a diagrammatic view of expeller gears having a ratio of 3:1 and the same xed center to center distance as shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 51 is a side elevation somewhat diagrammatic of expeller gears having a ratio of 4:1 with xed centers the Same as in Fig. 45; and

Fig. 52 is a side elevation of clutch mechanism partly in section combining the structures of Figs. 50 and 51. all of which is a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 29.

This invention will be described as it may be applied to a machine for receiving coins aggregating more than the cost of an article to be dispensed, for totalizing the coins received for discharging an article or articles for which payment has been made and also for returning any excess for the cost of the merchandise which is discharged or dispensed. The price paid for the merchandise may be varied but as herein applied, the amount of money which is required in payment for the merchandise is known in advance and this amount is set up upon a master wheel.

In setting up the mechanism for pre-setting the price on the master wheel for which the article, change, message, and the like is to be dispensed, reference is rst made to Figs. 1 and 10 which shows master wheel |08 mounted upon a shaft 52. A plate |09 is coaxially mounted adjacent one side of the master wheel and carries a segment gear |I2, a price indicator IIO in the form of a pointer, a trip dog I I I at the periphery and a plate I4 all attached to the plate |99. Engaging with segment gear I|2 is a 1/3 segment gear I|3 having a small toothed plate I I5 and a roller 205 attached to the gear I I3. A gear IIB is attached to the 1/ 3 segment gear I I3 connected by a driving gear train terminating in gear IIS attached to a cam shaft |25.

A self-centering clip lever I 24 engages roller 205 for Zero positioning of the 1/3 segment gear, which is shown in its zero position with respect to the master Wheel. A roller 204 is attached to the master Wheel |08 and is adapted to engage clip lever |22 for actuating an electric switch relay |23 and also for normally positioning the master wheel |08.

The trip dog I I I engages a trip lever I I9 at the side of the master wheel to actuate switch relays I20 and |2I. To change or pre-set the price, it is necessary only to unscrew nut 52a at the end of the shaft 52 and to rotate the plate |09 in the direction opposite to the arrow shown in Fig. 10 positioning the indicator ||0 at any price up to 99 according to the graduations in the periphery of the master wheel and then tighten the nut on the shaft, the plate |09 being held frictionally in contact with the master wheel |08 in any position in which it is set.

Referring now more particularly to the Fig. 29 modification of the master wheel structure shown by Fig. 10, the price indicator ||0 of the plate |09 is rotated with respect to the calibrated iigures on the master wheel |08 by first loosening a screw 2|0 at the top of the master wheel (see also Fig. 2:8) which dsengages a segment gear 209 from a planetary gear 201 pivoted on the master wheel |03 to any price up to and incllding 99 for the diierences in the amount of change inserted up to 49. The screw 2 I 0 is then tightened so that the segment gear locks the planetary gear 201 and another planetary gear 206 carried by the master wheel in the pre-set price position. The locking plate II4 is integral or secured to the 1/3 segment plate I|2 and the plate |I5 is secured to or integral with the 1/3 segment gear II3 with a locking notch II4a on the circular portion of the plate I I 4 in the locking circle in order to permit the corner I|5a of the plate 5 which form the stop to pass to the plate I|4 on the driving 1/3 segment gear at the ending of the period of rest and corresponding to the pre-set price position.

If the amount registered on the master wheel |08 relative to the pre-set price setting is over and above the pre-set price, the segment gears I I2 and I I3 engage, and thus transmit motion through gears 259, 260, 26| and IIS as shown in Fig. 40 to the controlled discharge cams of Fig. 2 on shaft |25 of the diierence between the amount registered and the pre-set price.

The coin or any number of dierent coins are inserted through a single admission slot |81 of adaptor |86, Fig. 3. Coins of any denomination and in any order may be inserted which roll down a right angled plate |85 which may be inclined about 20 and in which the vertical web is tilted slightly from the vertical, approximately 5 to hold the coins uprightly in the angle of the plate. Deflector vanes and Stoppers |88, |89, |90, |9| and |92 are arranged in descending order .upon the angle plate and correspond to the diameters of a half dollar, quarter, nickel, penny and dime respectively, all but the last stop being spaced from the vertical web and the last stop eX- tending to the vertical web. In the bottom web above each stop are corresponding holes |93, |94, |95, |96 and |91 for receiving coins in the order named.

Below each hole are coin accumulator tubes |15, |11, |18, |19 and I8! for receiving the coins named in the order of their ascending sizes. In Figs. 4 and 5, a coin entering the accumulator tube |11, passes through hole |95 in the angle plate |85 and engages an adaptor guide H38 having an opening with inclined sides at the top and a slot at the bottom for directing a coin to fall therein in one way only on to a lever |33 pivoted in the side wall of the tube |11 and adapted to actuate a relay switch |85. As coins accumulate in each tube, an overiiow gravity a common accumulator box located below the tubes but not shown in the drawings.

When any coin is inserted through admission slot |81 (Fig. 3), it depresses a switch button 28S (not shown in Fig. 3) in the slot, for controlling a maintained contact switch 215 (see Fig. 44) preferably located on anale plate |85 within the adaptor |85. A push-pull solenoid 214 is energized to close a snap-action switch 211 which closes an electric starting circuit from supply mains 352 through a motor 213. This motor continues to drive motor shaft 5| (Fig. l) until the motor circuit is opened by solenoid 215 as hereafter described. The supply mains may have separate switches 212 connecting them with a suitable source of current supply 21|.

Each of the accumulator tubesl is provided with a relay switch of which switch IBL! in connection with tube |11 is typical, adapted to energize a solenoid as in Figs. l and 44. which is shown in Fig. 24. Clutch mechanism (Figs. 2-5 and 27) is in an engaging position, due to spring tension, with a roller 2|@ riding on the face between slots 2I1 as shown in Figs. 26 and 27. Further rotation of intermittent .gears 2i! and 2I2 (Fig. 23) causes the clutch and roller to remain in engagement (Figs. 23, 24 and 25). show a typical arrangement of an intermittent gear 2|2 and a driving gear 2H which are intended to represent any one of the pairs of similar gears in Fig. l as 53, 51?.; 51, 58; 13, 14; 15, 8B; 85, 855; 52, $3; 9s, Idil; and |34, |35.

For one rotation of intermittent gear 2II, intermittent gear 2I2 will be rotated 1/5 of a revolution, an angular amount indicated by double arrow I3 in Fig. 23. This motion is transmitted through a gear train shown diagrammatically in Fig. 35 and consisting of gear 2I| on motor shaft 5I which meshes with gear 2 I2, and thence through reduction gears 24|, 242, 243, 244, 245, and 55 mounted on shaft 52 on which the master wheel 53 is mounted. Since this coin tube 11 is for pennies and the master wheel |98 has one hundred nity (150) graduations, each. penny making a contact with the relay switch |84 causes 1A .-0 of a movement, or one unit of the master wheel calibrated dial face of the master wheel |58 (Figs. l and 29).

An example of the intermittent gear mechanism, for the one cent registration, is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 9a, which comprises a jaw toothed clutch 51 in disengaged position. It slides on a Figs. 23. 24 and 25 6 keyed shaft 63 and has a toothed position 51a for engaging a toothed portion 54a of intermittent gear 54. A yoke bar 51o is secured to the movable bar 62a of solenoid 52 and engages the clutch 5%' for moving it into and out of engagement. A spring 52o surrounding the bar 62a tends to engage the clutch and solenoid 52 pulls it out of such engagement. Solenoid 5t and its bar 55a are at right angles to bar 52a and the extremities of bars 56a and 52a are beveled and engage at a right angle. A spring 55h surrounding bar 55o projects the end of bar 55a into the path of bar 52a and holds bar 52a, and clutch 5i out of engaging position. When solenoid 55 is energized, it pulls its bar 55a. free from the end of bar 52a allowing spring 62h to engage toothed portions 5m and 54a.

Pins 55 project from clutch 51 adapted to engage a spring lever mounted at one side or below it, the lever operating a relay switch (5I for operating a solenoid 52 (see Fig. 44).

To cushion the shock of movement between intermittent gears, as 53 and 54, a pin 54 is located on gear 5-3 near its single tooth, and a ltorsional spring $5 is attached to adjacent pins Jrejecting from gear 54 with the extremities of the springs extending outwardly to engage the pin 5ft as gear 53 moves into and out of engagement with gear 54. A spring 56 xed at one end outside of the periphery of gear 54 has a rounded extremity at the other end adapted to engage in the notches of the gear 5d for holding it in proper spaced positions.

At the end of this V5 of a rotation of the intermittent gear mechanism, the spring lever 6D (Figs. 23, 24 and 25) is actuated by the cam of clutch Eis which closes relay switch 5I to energze solenoid 52 (see also Fig. 44) and to disengage, clutch mechanism 2I5. The disengaged position is shown in Fig. 9.

In a similar manner and procedure, coins of difiere-nt denominations, dimes, nickels, quarters and. half-dollars are registered in their proper units on the master wheel when inserted in the u slot |81, and directed into their proper coin tubes E15, |18, HS, and E respectively. Relay switches` and the relays operated thereby, corresponding to switch |82 of l-cent tube |11, and switch mechanism and solenoids for such operations, are not shown nor described in detail, and connections for them on the wiring diagram, Fig. 44, would only be in multiple with the solenoids `55 and 52.

Referring to Fig. 35. the centers therein shown are consistent with the composite view of the driving gear arrangement shown in Fig. 29 in which the engagement of intermittent gears 2H and 242 cause a rotation of the master wheel shaft 52, 1,650 of a revolution corresponding to a valuation of 1 cent. This gear train value is obtained in the following manner: Gears 24| to 252 have a ratio or 1/4; gears @d3 to 254 have a ratio of 2/5; gears 2&55 to 55 have a ratio of 1/3. This results in a gear train value of for one cent.

In a similar manner, Fig. 36 shows the angular rotation of gear 59 on the master wheel shaft 52 from gear 24S which has a driving ratio with 7 gear 241 of 1/3; gear 248 has a driving ratio through idler gear 249 With gear 99 of 1/2 resulting in a gear train value of 1/3X1/2 which 1/ 6 of the master wheel movement corresponding to a valuation of cents. That is:

t 1 e 5/150 5 5 1 ram va u 1/5 --o -6 for 5 cents.

Fig. 3'1 shows a driving train from gear 250 to gear on shaft 52 as follows: Gears 250 and having a driving ratio of 2/3; gearsl 252 and 15 driving through idler 253 have a ratio oi 1/2 so that the resulting gear train value is 2/ 3X1/ 2 which 1/3 of the master wheel movement corresponding to 10 cents in value.

In Fig. 38, the resulting gear train value from gears 254 and 255 having a ratio of 5/3 and gears 256 and 8| having a ratio of 1/2, is 5/3 1/2 which 5/6, corresponding to 25 cents.

In Fig. 39, gears 253 and 81 have a gear ratio of 5/3, corresponding to 50 cents.

In Fig. showing the driving gear train for the control discharge cam, the angular rotation of the gear I i6 having one revolution to the angular rotation of the 1/3 segment gear ||3 which has 1/3 of a revolution, the resulting train value is as 3 is to 1. For the gears as shown, gears 259 and 260 have a ratio of 3/2; gears 25| and II6 have a ratio of 2/1 with a resulting gear train value of 3/2 2/1 which 3/1.

In the timing gear driving, Fig. 41, the angular rotation of gear I0! having one revolution to the angular rotation of gears 262 having 1/5 of a revolution requires a gear train value as follows: Gears 262 and 263 have a ratio of 5/2. Gears 264 and I0| have a ratio of 2/1 with a resulting train value of 5/2X2/1=5.

Fig. 42 represents one of the gear trains for the coin expelling mechanism in which the angular rotation of gear |36 having one complete rotation is related to the angular rotation of gear 265 having 1/5 of a revolution caused by the following gear train; gears 265 and 266 have a ratio of 5/2; gears 261 and |36 driving through an idler gear 268 have a ratio of 2/1 resulting in a gear train value of 5/2 2/1=5.

Fig. 43 .represents a reversing gear train not shown in Fig. 29 in which the angular rotation of gear 94 on the master wheel shaft 52 has 1/3 of a revolution with respect to the angular rotation of gear 269 which has 1/5 of a revolution resulting in a gear train value of /150 5/1 or 5/3. The gears 269 and 94 have a gear ratio of 5/3 with an idler gear 210 to reverse the direction of rotation as indicated by the arrows in this gure.

The pre-setting of the price on the master wheel and the registration of the coins being thus described, the mechanism for disposing an article and the timing gear function and its relationship will next be described:

Referring to Figs. 10 and 29, an indicator ||0 relative to a trip dog I I is mounted on the plate |09 of the master wheel and the registrating of any coin rotates the master wheel |98 in the direction of the arrow as shown. As the units accumulate to the pre-set value, the trip dog I I I contacts spring lever |I9 which is pre-set relative to the zero position of the master Wheel and such engagement simultaneously actuates relay switches |20 and |2|. Relay switch i2! energizes a solenoid 280 of Fig. 44 to deliver an article, a message, or the like, from the vending machine. Relay switch |20 energizes a solenoid 8 |03 (Figs. 20 and 44) causing clutch mechanism |04 of Fig. 1 to engage the intermittent gear |00.

For an angular rotation of 1/5 of a revolution, designated by the double arrow 2 I3 in Fig. 23, the driven timing gear I0! (Fig. 19) having a pin |02 projecting therefrom, is rotated one revolution by the gear train shown in Fig. 41. At the end of one revolution of gear |0|, the pin |02 contacts the spring lever to actuate a relay |01, Figs. 19 and 44. This energizes solenoid |05 (Figs. 20 and 44) to disengage clutch mechanism |04 from the clutch position shown in Fig. 24 to the disengaged position shown in Fig. 20.

Simultaneously, with the actuation of solenoid |05, its contact bar I05a engages relay switch |06 (Figs. 20 and 44) which energizes solenoid |31 (Figs. 12 and 44) causing clutch mechanism |38 (Figs. 1 and 12) to engage intermittent gear |35. For 1/5 of a rotation of intermittent gear |35, the gear |36 (Fig. 1) through the gear train of Fig. 42 is rotated one complete revolution for the coin expelling mechanism shown in Figs. 29 and 32.

Because the amount registered and the pre-set unit are equal, the positions of the 1/3 segment gears I I2 and l I3 will remain as represented and shown in Figs. 29 and 10 which means that the control discharge cam of Fig. 2 is in its zero position. The idler gears of the coin expelling gear trains will be out of mesh, and therefore the driven gear |36 of Fig. 29 completes one revolution as previously described without expelling any coins. Gear |36 completes one revolution as a result of 1A; of a revolution of the intermittent gear 2| 2 (Fig. 23) and thereafter the clutch mechanism cam has contacted spring lever 60 to actuate relay switch |39 (Figs. 12 and 44) which energizes solenoid |40, disengages clutch mechanism 2| 5, and simultaneously solenoid bar |40a contacts relay switch |4I (Figs. 12 and 44) and energizes solenoid 96 (Fig. 22) of the reversing mechanism, (see also Fig. 24) engaging the clutch 2| 5 of intermittent gear 2I2 to the gear trains of Fig. 29.

For an angular rotation of 1/5 of a revolution (2I3 in Fig. 23), gear 94 (Fig. 43) is rotated 1/3 of a revolution. The master wheel |08 now rotates in the reverse direction from the pre-set unit to its normal or zero position in a direction opposite to the arrow as shown in Figs. 29 and 10, roller 204 enters clip lever |22 While roller reverses so of a revolution beyond the zero position ||1 as noted in Fig. 10. Likewise roller 205 on clip lever |24 corresponding to the angular rotation designated ||8 also reverses because the reversing of 1/3 of a revolution is not yet complete; that is, if the pre-set position is less than 50 units on the master Wheel calibrated face, then the clip lever |22 at approximately 'an angular rotation designated ||1 closes relay switch |23 which energizes solenoid 91 (Fig. 22) disengages clutch mechanism 2 I5 (Fig. 24) shown in disengaged position by Fig- 22, and simultaneously, the solenoid bar 91al of solenoid 91 engages the relay switch 98 (Fig. 22).

Clip levers 22 and |24 return the master wheel |08 and the 1/ 3 segment gear I I3 to their normal or zero position as shown in Fig. 10 with the exception that the indicator H0 is pre-set to some other unit than the position shown. Also, in Fig. 44, relay switch 98 energizes a solenoid 219 closing snap action switch 218, thereby energizing solenoids 214 and 215 simultaneously. Solenoid 214 of the push-pull type releases snap action switch 211 in its normally open position While solenoid 215 when energized depresses the 9 maintained contact switch 216 to its open position, thus opening the entire motor circuit as shown in Fig, 14. This procedure completes the sequence of operation for the amount inserted equal to the pre-set price.

In the case of a change return, that is, where the amount inserted is greater than the pre-set price, then the exception to the sequence of operation, as previously described, is in the controlling of the discharge cams shown in Fig. 2 with respect to the engagement of the 1/3 segment gears ||2 and ||3 shown in Fig. 29.

The principles embodied in the development of the control discharge cams (Fig. 2) for the cumulative addition in sequence is illustrated in the following tabulation, the cams being designated as |23 to |33 inclusive, and the numbers from l to 50 designating the positions of the various cams for discharging the amounts indicated from thc various coin receiving chutes. in other words, the are all mounted upon the same shaft 23; |23 to |29 for discharging 1 cent, 2 cents, 3 cents, l cents individually; |33 for discharging a nickel or 5 cents; |3| for discharging a dirne or l cents; |32 for discharging two dimes or 2o cents; and |33 for discharging a quarter or 25 cents. For discharging 6 cents, cam |25 and cam i3@ will be required. For discharging l'? cents, cam |27, the 2 cent cam, cam |33, the cent cam, and cam i3 the 10 cent cam will be required. Likewise, other combinations of cams will be necessary for discharging the amounts from l to li9 cents may be determined from the chart given below:

The cams to |33 will have the following relationship with the gear train expelling mechanism as shown in Figs. 1, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 34 as follows:

For that angle of rotation of gear |35 designated as 53 in Fig. l1, gear |35 is rotated one complete revolution through the connected gear train. A coin is expelled from the bottom of tuhe ill by a cam follower rod |73 through the action of cam iet when an idler gear |63 is in mesh with gears |115 and |53 having a ratio of i/i. This gear |36 is mounted at the end of a lever ld pivoted about a bolt |65 having a roller |58 which enters into the spaced grooves of the 1 rcent cam 52E whenever that cam is moved around to register with the position of the roller |68, the roller being urged into the cam notch by the spring |51' at the other end of the lever, thereby meshing the idler gear |65 with the gears |35 and |53. In a similar manner, the other cams |21 to |33 are engaged by cam follower rollers mounted upon levers for actuating idler gears and producing the following gear ratios for the respective cams:

|23 meshes gears M5 and |53 at gear ratio 1:1 |2`i' meshes gears |45 and |54 at gear ratio 1:2 |23 meshes gears |41 and |55 at gear ratio 1:3 I 29 meshes gears |53 and |51 at gear ratio 1:4

10 |30 meshes gears |49 and I 53 at gear ratio 1:1 |3| meshes gears |43 and |5| at gear ratio 1:1 |32 meshes gears lfifl and |52 at gear ratio 1:2 |33 meshes gears |53 and |53 at gear ratio 1:1

The control discharge cams of Fig. 2 show a notch or notches formed around the periphery of the cams which determires the discharge of the coin or coins through the above described movement of the expelling gear mechanism 0r mechanisms, the combination of the gears as shown in the chart above being located at the zero or 50 position to produce the operation of the expelling mechanism or mechanisms to eject the predetermined amounts.

ln Figs. l1, 13, and 14, the rotation of the cam |23 in the direction of the arrow causes the follower roller |68 attached to an adaptor |69 and the fixed lever |313 to roll along the cam contour and `at each notch interval, the roller |68 is engaged or dwells instantaneously in the groove by the action of the tension spring |67. This compresses a shock absorber spring attached to the roller follower |12 and idler gear |66 attached to the lever |34 is vmoved into mesh with the set gears |55 and |53. At the next interval, the roller |68 is forced out of the notch due to the cam rotation and by the movement of the lever, the idler gear is thrown out of mesh with the gears M5 and |53. As long as the roller remains in the cam, notch or grooves, the idler gear is in mesh `with the other gears. In Figs. 29 and 34 are shown cam roller follower modications of the construction shown in Fig. 11. In this arrangement, the rotation of cam |26 causes the roller |68 to enter into the cam notches by the pressure of spring 22| and to eliminate any surging effects, the spring adjustment adaptor 2|S carrying a, roller idler gear adaptor 222 and a radial ball bearing adaptor 223 which is fixed toa central discharge cam hub and causing a similar sequence of instantaneous lmotion as described in the preceding paragraph.

The rotation of the master wheel |08 with the dog trips the pre-set lever H3 (see Fig. 10) to actuate the dispensing movement of an article relay switch |2| and the timer relay switch to set the timing gear in motion in a predetermined time interval. Since the master Wheel is to rotate beyond the pre-set unit, an amount dependent upon the amount inserted but greater than the pre-set unit, the 1/3 segment gears ||2 and ||3 mesh in engagement at the pre-set unit and rotate relative to the master Wheel transmitting this motion through the gear train of Fig. 40 to the control discharge cams (Fig. 29). The driven segment gear ||3 having a 1/3 rotation drives through the gear train to cam driver gear l5 (Fig. 40) imparting one revolution thereto. The gear llt is driven at a gear ratio of 3:1 by the driving gear 259.

The control discharge cams are now rotating with the follower rollers into and out of the notches or grooves corresponding to the idler gear, in and out of mesh with the set gears instantaneously as described. At some unit greater than the pre-set value, the master Wheel has come to a stop and likewise the control discharge cams and come to a stop registering the diierence in change return. At this point, the cam follower rollers that are in the cam grooves corresponding to the idler gear or gears and mesh with the set gears remain in this position until the coin expelling gear mechanism comes into action.

The master wheel stop precedes that of the timing gear in engaging the coin discharge clutch mechanism and mention has been made of the predetermined time interval of the timing gear cycle of actuation. At the end of the timing gear interval, relay switch |01 (Fig. 44) is actuated, energizing solenoid |05 which disengages clutch mechanism 2|5 (Fig. 24) and simultaneously actuates relay switch |06 energizing solenoid |31 to engage the clutch mechanism 2|5 with the intermittent gear 2|2 (Fig. 24) of the coin discharge mechanism (Fig. 29) through the gear train of Fig. 42. The driving gear 265 of the intermittent gear 2|2 rotates 1/5 of a rotation while the driven gear |35 completes one rotation or a gear ratio of driven to driver of 5:1 de-' scribed in the detail description of Fig. 42.

The coin discharge clutch mechanism being engaged and rotated, transmits this motion to gear |36 to drive the set of gears by means of the idler gear of the cam follower roller combination in mesh as depending on the gear ratio to expel the coin out of the accumulator tubes to the receiving receptacle.

Having completed the discharge of the coin change return, the discharge clutch mechanism 2|5 (of Fig. 24) at the end of 1/5 of a rotation, actuates relay switch |39 to energize solenoid |40 disengaging clutch mechanism 2|5 and simultaneously actuates relay |4| (Fig. 44) to energize solenoid 96 engaging the clutch mechanism 2|5 of the reversing mechanism and gear train of Fig. 43.

The reversing gear mechanism in engagement rotates the master wheel in a reverse direction, dog (Fig. 10) contacts pre-set lever ||9 free to turn about its pivot pin until rollers 204 and 205 enter clip levers |22 and |24 respectively. The master wheel reverses beyond its normal position by approximately an angular amount |1 when the clip lever |22 actuates relay switch |23 to disengage reversing gear clutch mechanism 2|5 (Fig. 24) and simultaneously actuates relay switch 98 of Fig. 44. Switch 9B energizes solenoid 219 operating its snap action switch to close a circuit which in turn energizes solenoids 214 and 215, simultaneously opening the entire motor circuit. This completes the sequence of operation for the change return.

The cycle for a pre-set price of a 7 cent article, and the like, to be bought, will now be described to give the general summary of operation and the results obtained as follows:

In Figs. 10 and 29, the master wheel 1/3 segment indicator is pre-set at a unit of '1 on the calibrated faces of the master wheel, is locked in this position, and the spring lever ||9 is the pre-set position for corresponding to the zero position of the master wheel |08. A coin or coins of different denominations are inserted through the single slot admission hole |81 (Fig. 3) equal to the pre-set price, or greater than the pre-set price. Coins equal to the pre-set price may have these combinations: One nickel and two pennies, or seven pennies. A coin greater than the pre-set price may be one dime, one quarter, or half-a-dollar.

Considering the combination of one nickel and two pennies, the order of insertion one at a time may be in any order. If we assume that the order is one penny, one nickel and one penny, the first penny depresses a maintained contact switch button 216 (Fig. 44) energizes solenoid 214 closing snap action switch 211 and closing the operating circuit through the motor 213. The motor shaft (Fig. 1) is rotated thereby causing movement of the intermittent gears thereon,

alternately in engagement and in a period of rest, but no motion is transmitted to the master wheel shaft 52 since no clutch mechanism has been actuated for engagement with its intermittent gear.

The first penny rolling on the inclined angle plate is deflected by vane and stopper |9| into the perforated hole |96 through guide adaptor |98 upon a lever |83 which closes a switch |84 as the coin is accumulated into the tube |11.

As shown in Fig. 44, switch |84 energizes solenoid 56 releasing clutch mechanism into engagement and to rotate master wheel one unit. At the end of 1/5 of a rotation of the intermittent gear, the clutch mechanism cam actuates relay switch 6| energizes solenoid 62 disengaging the clutch mechanism 2| 5 (Fig. 24).

The 5 cent piece following the penny also actuates a relay 284 in the 5 cent tube in a similar manner energizes its solenoid 1i to release clutch mechanism into engagement with its intermittent gear registering 5 units more on the master wheel, totalling six units. At the end of 1/5 of a rotation of its intermittent gear, the clutch mechanism cam actuates relay switch 28| energizing solenoid 12 to disengage the clutch mechanism for the 5 cent denomination. The one penny following the nickel, actuates relay switch |84 in a manner as already described, energizing solenoid 56 to place its clutch mechanism in engagement with its intermittent gear, registering one more unit or a total of '1 units on the master wheel. At the end of 1/5 of a rotation of the intermittent gear for the 1 cent, its clutch mechanism cam actuates relay switch 5|, energizes the solenoid 62 to disengage the set clutch mechanism. As seven units are registered on the master wheel, the 1/3 segment gear ||2 (Fig. 10) is in engagement with the 1/3 segment gear I |3 corresponding to the position in which the dog trips the pre-set lever ||9 to actuate the clelivery relay switch |2| and the timing gear relay switch |20 bringing the master wheel to a stop. Switch |2| energizes solenoid 280 to dispense an article, a message, or the like, while the switch |20 energizes solenoid |03 to release its clutch mechanism in engagement with its intermittent gear (Fig. 44). Within the limits of prescribed time intervals of the timing gear |0| (Fig. 41) pin |02 actuates relay switch |01 (Fig. 44) energizing solenoid |05 to disengage its clutch mechanism and simultaneously actuating relay switch |06. Switch |06 in turn energizes solenoid |31 to release the coin discharge mechanism into engagement with its intermittent gear transmitting this motion to the coin expelling gear mechanism (Fig. 29). Since the control discharge cams of Fig. 2 are in their normal or zero position with respect to the l/3 segment gears, the idler gears of the cam follower rollers are all out of mesh with the set gears of the expelling mechanism and no motion is transmitted to the corresponding expelling gear mechanism. Gear |36 (Fig. 29) having completed one complete rotation relative to the 1/5 rotation of its intermittent gear, its clutch mechanism cam actuates relay switch |39 (Fig. 44) which energizes solenoid |40 to disengage the clutch mechanism and simultaneously actuates relay switch |4|. This switch energizes solenoid 96 of the reversing mechanism to engage its clutch mechanism with the intermittent gear, thus reversing the direction of the master wheel rotation to its normal or zero position.

The rollers 204 and 205 (Figs. 10 and 29) enter clip levers |22 and I 24 respectively while the master wheel is still reversing, but approximately at the angular rotation amounts ||1 and ||8 respectively. Clip lever |22 contacts relay switch |23 energizing solenoid 91 (Fig. 44) to disengage its clutch mechanism which simultaneously actuates relay switch 93. The master wheel by the action of self-centering clip lever |22 is returned to its normal or zero position. With a similar action, self-centering clip lever |24 brings its segment gear ||3 to its normal or zero position.

The relay switch 90 as shown in Fig. 44 energizes solenoid 219 closing the snap action switch 218 thereby energizing solenoids 214 and 215 to open the entire motor circuit simultaneously.

For the same pre-set price of 7 cents, but inserting a coin greater than the pre-set price, for example, half-a-dollar, through the single admission slot as previously described, closing relay switch 281 (Fig. 44) as the coin falls through the accumulator tube |8| (Fig. 3) into the accumulator box located below the tubes. Relay switch 281 energizes solenoid 09 to release its clutch mechanism for engaging its intermittent gear registering 50 units on the master wheel. Before registering the 50 units, but at the preset price, dog (Fig. 10) trips lever ||9 to actuate timing gear relay switch |20 and delivery relay switch |2|. With the l/S segment gears ||2 and ||3 in engagement, al1 simultaneously as described in the previous example, with the exception that the master wheel advances to register 43 more units relative to the movement of the l/3 segment gears. This movement of the 1/3 segment gears rotates the control discharge cams (Fig. 2 and Fig. 29) while the cam follower rollers instantaneously enter in and out of the cam notches corresponding to the cam follower roller idler gears, thereby engaging and disengaging set gears of the coin expelling gear mechanism until the master wheel has come to a stop in registering the 50 units. Stopping of the master wheel simultaneously stops the rotation of the control discharge cams in such position that the cam follower rollers and the idler gears are in the cam notches and in engagement with set gears respectively registering the differences for the change return of 43 cents.

The diierences for 43 cents are best illustrated in Figs. l and 2 where the result obtained is as follows:

Cam |28 for discharge three single pennies has an idler gear which meshes gears |41 and |55 with a gear ratio of 1:3; cam |30 for one nickel, has an idler gear engaging gears |49 and |58 with a gear ratio of 1:1; cam |3| for one dime, has an idler gear engaging gears |43 and |5| with a gear ratio of 1:1; and cam |33 for one quarter, has an idler gear engaging gears |50 and |59 with a gear ratio of 1:1.

The timing gear mechanism at the end of the pre-determined time interval actuates relay switch |01 (Fig. 44) to disengage its clutch mechanism simultaneously actuating relay switch |06 thereby energizing solenoid |31 to release its coin discharge clutch mechanism to engage it with its intermittent gear transmitting this motion to the coin expelling gear mechanism (Figs. 29, 3l, 32 and 33). The expeller 230 (Fig. 32) through the expeller gear mechanism discharges coins out of the accumulator tubes (Fig. l) as follows:

Three pennies out of tube |11; O-ne nickel out of tube |18;

One dime out of tube |16; and One quarter out of tube |19 Thus a total of 43 cents is discharged into the gravity discharge chute into the receiver of Fig. 6.

At the end of the coin expelling cycle, relay switch |39 (Fig. 44) is actuated by its discharge cam to clutch mechanism to energize solenoid |40, thereby disengaging the discharge clutch mechanism and simultaneously operating relay switch lill. This switch energizes solenoid to release the reversing clutch mechanism for engagement with its intermittent gear, thereby returning the master wheel to its normal or zero position.

In the reverse rotation of the master wheel, dog contacts the pre-set lever H2 and turns about its pivot against the tension cf its spring and after passing the lever le is returned to its normal position by the action of the spring, rollers 204 and 205 enter clip levers |22 and |24 respectively at the zero or normal position of the master wheel. The reversing gear ratio is 5:3 and so the master wheel reverses 50 units. The reversing intermittent gear is now in its rest period and then engages to continue reversing rotation of an additional 50 units. As the master wheel rotates in reversing direction an angular amount of ||1 relative to the 1/ 3 segment gear H3, angular rotational amount of H3, the master wheel roller 224 turns the self-centering clip lever |22 to actuate its relay switch |23.

Relay switch |23 (Fig. 44) energizes solenoid 91 to disengage its reversing clutch mechanism and to simultaneously actuate relay switch 9S. In so doing, the self-centering clip levers |22 and |20 bring the master wheel and the 1/3 segment gear H3 respectively to their normal or zero positions.

Relay switch 98 energizes solenoid 210 closing snap action switch 213, thereby energizing solenoids 216i and 215 to open the motor circuit simultaneously as shown and previously described.

Thus the system is returned to normal or zero position ready for the insertion of another coin or coins which are first recorded in amount on the master wheel, then the article or message is delivered, and if any change is to be returned, it is discharged as described.

The master wheel may be connected to a counter which will register the total amount inserted and the discharging mechanism may be connected to a counter which registers the number of times the system is operated or the number of articles dispensed, and various other counters and mechanism may be applied to the change making machine for recording and registering which constitute no novel part of the present invention.

It is also apparent that all of the mechanism will be housed in a suitable container which preferably conceals all but the single coin admission chute, the article dispenser and the change dispenser. The particular form of the cabinet or container forms no particular part of the present invention.

A more practical means of engaging and disengaging the expeller gears for discharging coins from the coin chutes are shown in Figs. 46, 48, 49 and 52 using gear clutch mechanism as shown and described in connection with the other gear clutch mechanisms. yOne method is illustrated by Figs. 48 and 49 and the other method is illustrated by Figs. 51 and 52. Either one of these methods is applicable in controlling the discharge of the coins from the accumulator tubes.

The driven gears of the various sets of different gear ratios are mounted by press tting or otherwise securing them to their respective saw tooth clutch adaptors and are press fitted on to the radial ball bearings, and the radial ball bearings are press tted on to the shafts as shown in Figs. 46, 48 and 52. The other halves of the mating portions of the saw tooth clutch and adapter consists of serrated shaft perforations fitted on to serrated shafts with a sliding fit.

Referring to Figs. 48 and 49, the control discharge cam |21 is engaging roller 3|1 and its adaptor 3 6, clip levers 308 are pivoted on support 3|9 with their ball retainer attachments, drawn together by tension spring 3|8, operated by roller 315 for engaging gear |54 (or |52) which is press tted or brazed on to clutch hub 304 similar to the corresponding parts as shown in Figs. 28 and 29. The clutch 304 is press fitted on to bearing 3|4, the bearing 3|@ being in turn, press-fitted on the shaft 3|2 and spring 3|| holds another clutch element 303 in disengaged position, the hub of clutch 303 has a serrated hole which is free to slide on the serrated shaft portion 3|2a. A thrust washer 305 is press fitted on clutch hub 303 while a thrust washer 306 has a sliding fit on the clutch hub 303, and a washer 301 is press fitted on the shaft 3 2 as shown, all of these parts showing the mechanism in a disengaged position.

Gear |54 (or |52) and the clutch 304 are free to rotate on bearings 3M without causing the rotation of the shaft 3|2 in this disengaged position.

The control discharge cam |21 rotating in the direction of the arrow as shown, causes the roller 3 I 1 to dwell intermittently in the cam notches or groove, and the action of the compressed spring 320 forces a, roller follower adaptor SIG to travel downwardly in the direction of the arrow adjacent the number 3I as the roller 311 enters the cam groove and while the clip lever rollers 3 I 5 are forced out of adaptor groove 3|0a and rolls on to the surface 3 |65 of adaptor 3 6 which is guided by supporting members 3|9 and 322. The spring 3|8 -assists the clip levers 303 in their clamping movement which are pivoted upon the supporting member 3|9 and have the ball bearing retainer attachment resting in a V-groove periphery between thrust washers 305 and 300. This causes a wedging action between the face of the thrust w-ashers 305 and 300, forcing the clutch 303 to slide axially on the serrated shaft 3|2a, compressing spring 3 l I, and into engagement with saw tooth clutch 300. Rotation of gear |54 (or |52) causes the shaft 3|2 to rotate while the gear 225 by virtue of being fixed to the shaft 3 l2 transmit rotary motion to the coin expeller arm as shown in Fig. 32.

A roller 3|1 is forced out of the cam groove by the rotation of cam |21 so that it rests on the periphery of the cam and in so doing, roller 3|5 moving on surfaces 3|6b enters the grooves 3|6a, forcing clip levers 308 and their ball retainers out of and free from the faces of thrust washers 305 and 306 extending spring 3|8, while the spring 3|| forces the clutch 303 to slide axially on serrated shaft 3 |2a to its disengaged position as shown in Figs. 48 and 49.

Figs. 51 and 52 show a modified method of engaging and disengaging the clutch mechanism for expelling coins from the accumulator tubes by utilizing a solenoid and a limited switch combination. The method is similar to that previouslyA described with the exception of a ball bearing 303 and its collar 309a attached to a solenoid sh-aft 325a replacing thrust washers 305 and 305 and clip levers 308.

16 A spring operated switch 326 withV a roller operating attachment 321 engaging the periphery of cam |29 replaces the adaptor 3|5 and the roller guide adaptors 322 and 323 of Figs. 48 and 49. The rotation of cam |29 in the direction of the arrow as shown causes the limit switch operating roller 321 to enter the cam groove by spring action, closing switch contacts to energize solenoid 325, the clutch 303 slides axially on serrated shaft 3|2a compressing spring 3|| to engage saw tooth clutch 304. The rotation of gear |51 then transmits rotary motion to shaft 3|2 as previously described.

When the roller 321 is forced out of the cam groove on to the periphery of cam |29, the switch 326 opens the electrical circuit, deenergizing solenoid 325 while spring 3|| now compressed expands axially causing clutch 303 to slide on serrated shaft 3|2a. into its disengaged position as shown in Fig. 52. Either of these two methods can be utilized for the expeller gear mechanism for the various coin expeller gears and may be substituted for the mechanism above described. It is also noted that the control discharge cams of Fig. 2 having notches or grooves may be provided with similar outwardly turned projections instead of the grooves for operating the switches 323 by means of contact rollers 321 as shown in Fig. 51.

While various parts of this change making machine have been described in detail, these constructions should be regarded as an exemplication of the invention and not as a limitation thereof, since various changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

l. In a change making machine, the combination of a rotatable master wheel for registering the values of all inserted coins, a master wheel segment gear movable for pre-setting prices upon the master wheel an amount to be received as a payment, a motor driven shaft actuated when a coin is received by the machine, clutch mechanisms responsive to the inserted coin for connecting the motor to' the master wheel to actuate the master wheel an amount determined by coins inserted so as to rotate the segment gear in a direction reverse to the presetting direction, means actuated by the master wheel to deliver an article when the pre-set amount is registered by the master wheel, notched cam discs operated by the master wheel for any over-payment, gear means operated by said segment gear upon said reverse movement thereo-f to select a combination of said cams to correspond to an amount by which the inserted coins exceed the pre-set price, gear means selectively placed in mesh by said selected cam combination, and clutch means operated in response to said reverse movement of said segment gear for actuating said last mentioned gear means, and coin ejecting means operated thereby for ejecting the proper coins for any inserted payment exceeding the pre-set amount.

2. In a change making machine, according to claim 1, the plurality of notched cam discs forming a combined sequence for the cumulative addition of any over-payment in the difference between the inserted amount and the pre-set amount from 1 to 49 in combination with gear ratio means for ejecting one or more coins by the rotary movement of the cam discs.

3. In a change making machine, in accordance with claim 2, the combination of trip devices and delivery and timing switches actuated thereby for discharging the change making coins, timing clutch mechanism and ejector clutch mechanism operated thereby, and reversing clutch mechanism actuated by the ejector clutch mechanism operative to return the master Wheel to its normal zero operating position.

4. In a change making machine, in accordance with claim 3, a single motor means for driving the master wheel, the timing clutch mechanism, the ejector clutch mechanism and the reversing clutch mechanism in combination with electrical actuating means for each of the said clutch mechanisms.

5. In -a change making machine. in accordance with claim 1, an electrical switch and an intermittent clutch cam driven by the master wheel having clutch means to actuate the switch in combination with a solenoid to disengage the clutch and actuating the switch to set up the stated sequence of operations.

6. In a change making machine, according to claim 1, the notched cam discs having cam follower rollers engaging in the notched cam grooves, idler gear clutch mechanism simultaneously actuated by the said clutch means, and gear ratio means set in motion by the idler gear clutch mechanism for ejecting the proper coins for any inserted payment exceeding the pre-set amount.

NICHOLAS N. ARASHIRO. FRED R. HAMAlSI-II.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,172,195 Carter et a1 Feb. 15, 1916 2,073,870 Johns Mar. 16, 1937 2,083,947 Furber June 15, 1937 2,323,255 Sutherland June 29, 1943 2,354,896 Weiler Aug. 1, 1944 2,526,749 Hokanson Oct. 24. 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 403,366 Great Britain of 1933 

